Raudha Athif, a 20-year-old aqua-blue-eyed Maldivian model, was found hanging inside her dormitory room in Rajshahi, in north Bangladesh on Wednesday, March 29. She was a second-year medical student at the Rajshahi Islami Bank Medical College Hospital, and the death is being treated as a suicide. On social media, surprised Maldivians are mourning the loss of this beautiful woman.

Raudha was last seen at dinner on Tuesday night, before she retired to her room. On Wednesday morning, Raudha’s friends went to look for her when she missed breakfast. Receiving no response outside her room, they broke down the door and found her hanging from the ceiling fan by a long scarf. Police are considering her death to be the result of suicide.

Maldivians reacted to this tragic incident on social media:

Deeply saddened to hear the death of Raudha Athif. I am even sadder to be part of a society that is STILL stigmatising depression.

Raudha, you were truly a Maldivian icon. The first Maldivian to grace the cover of Vogue. Very few people have the courage to do that. You faced immense backlash after you did and took it in your stride. However none of us realized that even with the picture perfect Instagram stories you suffered in your daily life. Quietly and in silence. To the point where you couldn't bare it anymore.

The number one cause for suicide is untreated depression. Depression is treatable and suicide is preventable. You can get help from confidential support lines for the suicidal and those in emotional crisis. Visit Befrienders.org to find a suicide prevention helpline in your country.

Support our work

Global Voices stands out as one of the earliest and strongest examples of how media committed to building community and defending human rights can positively influence how people experience events happening beyond their own communities and national borders.